Chapter 766: Kongzi Becomes a Disciple

Kongzi becomes a disciple

April 17: Kongzi becomes a disciple

There is a saying: 'From an eminent teacher come outstanding students.'

Thus, Kongzi decided to take Laozi as his teacher and study under him.

Upon meeting Laozi, Kongzi was deeply impressed by Laozi's integrity, unique insights, and profound erudition.

At that time, Kongzi was only about twenty-five or twenty-six, in the prime of his youth, full of the vigor of a scholar, eager to discuss state affairs and speak out boldly. Laozi saw Kongzi's youthful vigor, his immaturity not yet shed, his eagerness to achieve accomplishments, and thus advised Kongzi, saying: 'A gentleman proceeds when the time is right; when it is not, he moves forward with difficulty. I have heard that a good merchant hides his wealth as if empty; a gentleman of great virtue appears simple-minded. Cast off your arrogance and excessive desires, your bearing and lustful intentions; these are of no benefit to you. That is all I have to tell you.'

Laozi's words to Kongzi were too profound. I understand them as: A gentleman content with his station does what is proper within his duties; he does not envy fame and profit beyond his duty. When in a position of wealth and honor, he does what befits that station; when in a lowly position, he does what befits that station; if in adversity, he does what is appropriate to adversity.

Thus, a gentleman, regardless of his station or location, whether poor or rich, safe or troubled, will never feel uneasy.

Laozi said: A merchant skilled in trade never shows off his wealth; a gentleman of deep learning and fine virtue, even in a bustling market, appears as if wise yet simple.

Laozi said: You ought to rid yourself of those vain and hollow arrogances, and those excessive ** in your heart, as well as the so-called grand ambitions. For these things are of no benefit to you. What I want to tell you is just this. I believe you, being so wise, will listen. A true gentleman, when in a high position, never bullies those in lower positions; when in a low position, he does not curry favor or bribe to ingratiate himself with those above.

Laozi said: A true gentleman strives to accomplish his own duties, maintains proper conduct, and whether the matter is great or small, he holds himself to strict standards, never making excessive demands on others; only thus can he free himself of resentment toward heaven and others, abide by his duty, follow heaven's mandate, and await heaven's grace.

At that time, Kongzi merely nodded with a smile, indicating agreement: 'Master, you are not asking me to discard my arrogance, to preserve myself with wisdom, to abide by my duty, and not to obsess over my ideals, are you?'

But Kongzi himself still clung to his ideals and pursuits, and would not alter his original devotion to them because of a few words from his teacher.

Kongzi's disciple Zi Gong, hearing that Kongzi had gone to visit Laozi, asked Kongzi: 'What about being poor without fawning, rich without arrogance?' Kongzi said to Zi Gong: 'Being able to fawn when poor and not be arrogant when rich is already enough.' My teacher Laozi also taught me this. But I think that merely being poor without fawning and rich without arrogance is still not enough.

Zi Gong, hearing Kongzi's words, felt somewhat puzzled and further asked the teacher: 'Then what should we do?'

Kongzi pondered, then said: 'When in poverty, one must still uphold one's ideals and character, maintain one's pursuit and obstinacy. Only such a person can be called a gentleman. Can you do that?'

Zi Gong, hearing Kongzi's words, reflected and said: 'Master, are your words like those in the Classic of Poetry, where cultivating oneself is like a jade cutter polishing jade—first grinding away the edges, removing the roughness, so that the jade may become a vessel, praised, recognized, and valuable?'